Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester

On September 29, 1564, Robert Dudley became the Earl of Leicester. An excerpt from the article:

"Promotions & Earldom
Despite the scandal and the rumours of what went on between them, the queen and Dudley remained good friends. In October 1562 CE Dudley was made a member of the Privy Council, and at only 30 years of age, an unusually young one. Elizabeth may have used the impetuous and radical-thinking Dudley as a counterbalance to the other powerful player in English politics, the conservative William Cecil, Lord Burghley (1520-1598 CE). This rivalry was not only one of ideas but also one of courtier and statesman. In 1564 CE Dudley refused Elizabeth's offer to have him marry her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots (r. 1542-1567 CE). Dudley, knowing his queen well, gave his excuse that he could not bear to be parted so far from his sovereign.

Love History?
Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter!

Elizabeth next made Dudley an earl on 28 September 1564 CE, creating the new earldom of Leicester for him and even throwing in the title of Baron Denbeigh. It was unusual to grant an earldom to a man who was not directly related to the monarch and so the move shows the high esteem Dudley enjoyed in the queen's eyes. Dudley received his new title and estates in a lavish ceremony at St. James' Palace. The next year, Dudley was given two ex-monasteries in Yorkshire, a house in Kew and, best of all, Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire where he royally entertained his queen on many occasions (see below). The earl would add a magnificent new gatehouse to his new home. At entertainments elsewhere, Dudley often acted as the queen's host. It was clear to all, then, that this man was, without doubt, the queen's favourite."